Panel insert device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to insert devices for panels and more particularly to insert devices for installation in light weight panels such as panels composed of a honeycomb core bounded by skin sheets. The embodiments of the present invention disclosed in the drawings include a sheet metal fastener member having an annular body which is partially severed transversely. A portion of the body adjacent one side of the body severance is deflected axially to provide an entering helical lead and panel rupturing edge. The annular body has an internally threaded extrusion, and a thermoplastic adhesive is attached to the body which, when heated, will form a band between the fastener body and a complementary honeycomb core.

United States Patent [151 3,678,980 [451 July 25,1972

Gutshall [541 PANEL INSERT DEVICE [72] Inventor: Charles E. Gutshall,Roselle, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc., Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: March 26, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 22,811

[52] U.S. Cl. ..l5l/4l.7, 85/32 R, 15 l/41.73 [51] ..Fl6b 37/04 [58]Field ofSearch ..l51/41.7,41.73,38; 85/9;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,179,143 4/1965 Schultz etal. ..l51/41.7 2,718,485 9/1955 Samuely ,..l51/4l.7 2,632,355 3/1953Becker ..l51/38 2,734,547 2/1956 l-lolchkm ..15l/38 1,062,635 5/1913Clements ..85/9 R 2,880,830 4/1959 Rohe ...15l/21 B 2,385,296 9/1945Moore ..151/41.7

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 646,210 11/1950 .Great Britain..151/4l.73

Primary Examiner-Edward C. Allen Attorney-Olson, Trexler, Wolters &Bushnell, Robert W. Bean, Michael Kovac, Barry L. Clark and Jack R.Halvorsen 57 ABSTRACT The present invention relates generally to insertdevices for panels and more particularly to insert devices forinstallation in light weight panels such as panels composed of Y ahoneycomb core bounded by skin sheets. The embodiments of 9 Claims, 12Drawing figures Patented July 25, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PANEL INSERTDEVICE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Light weight honeycomb type panels ofthe type referred to above, because of their porous nature, will notsupport a screw member driven directly into the panel. Hence it becomesnecessary, in order to secure various objects to such panels, to imbed ascrew accommodating member or insert within the panel. The presentinvention contemplates the provision of a very simple, inexpensive andhighly etficient insert device which is particularly adapted for use inhoneycomb type panels.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a screwaccommodating insert device which may be installed with ease, and whichupon being imbedded within a panel by the application of rotative forceswill become bonded to the material of the honeycomb when the insert issubjected to heat.

More specifically, the invention contemplates a new and improved screwfastener accommodating insert device which, upon rotation, will imbeditself within the panel core, and due to the nature of the insertexterior, it will become chemically bonded or fused to the honeycombcore upon the application of heat thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing, and other objects andadvantages will be more apparent from the following detailed descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an insert device of the present invention inits initial position of association with the outer surface of a panel;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the insert device shown in FIG. 1,having in association therewith a tool member which is employed torotate the insert after the adjacent skin sheet of the panel has beenbroken, the panel structure being shown in section taken substantiallyalong the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, disclosing the insertdevice of the present invention after it has been partially rotated intoassociation with the panel;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, disclosing the insert device afterit has been completely driven into association with the panel core;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 4, with the insertrotating tool removed therefrom;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, disclosing a fastenerscrew member in association with the insert;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a modified embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the insert device shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 discloses the insert device of FIGS. 7 and 8 imbedded within thecore of a panel with a fastening screw applied to the internal threadsof the fastener device, said view being taken substantially along thelines 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a still further modified embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 1 1 is a sectional view showing the insert device of FIG. 10imbedded within a panel core, said view being taken substantially alongthe lines 1 11 I of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1 1, taken substantiallyalong the line 12-12 of FIG. 11, the screw element being illustrated bydot-and-dash lines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingsmore in detail, wherein like numerals have been employed to designatesimilar parts throughout the various figures, it will be seen that aninsert device, designated generally by the numeral 14, is illustrated inFIGS. 1-6, inclusive. The device 14 comprises a sheet metal annular body16 formed with a central internally threaded extrusion 18 of limitedaxial extent. The body 16 is partially severed radially by a slot 20. Aportion of the body 16, the trailing side of the severance or slot 20,is axially deflected to provide an entering helical lead and panelrupturing edge 22.

FIGS. 2 and 4 disclose a tool member 24 which is employed to impartrotation to the insert member 14. It will be noted that the tool 24 hasa pointed depending extremity 26 which may be telescopically associatedwith the central aperture of the annular body 16 after the device 14 hasbeen placed in the required position upon the surface of the paneldesignated generally by the numeral 28. The panel 28 includes ahoneycomb core 30 bounded by skin sheets 32 and 34. The entering end 26of the tool is also used to rough out an opening in the panel 28 foraccommodating the central extrusion 18.

Before employing the tool 24 for rotating the insert 14, a skin piercingsection or blade 36 of the tool is shifted axially through the slot 20of the body 16 sufficiently to penetrate and rupture the skin 34. Thispenetration causes a radial opening or slot 38 to be formed, as clearlyshown in FIG. 5. The tool 24 is now retracted slightly so that the skinrupturing or penetrating section 36 thereof clears the outer surface ofthe skin sheet 34. Rotation may then be imparted in a clockwisedirection as viewed in FIG. 1. This causes the advancing side of thetool section 36 to engage the edge of the annular body 16 defining theslot or severance 20. The panel entering edge 22 of said body enters thepreviously formed radial opening or slot 38. Continued rotation of thetool 24 causes the entering edge 22 to serve as a helical lead for theremainder of the annular body 16. When the tool 24 has completed onecomplete revolution, the body 16 will have been completely imbeddedwithin the honeycomb core 30 and will occupy the position shown in FIGS.4, 5 and 6.

Attention is directed to the provision in the body 16 of the device 14of a plurality of concentric annular indentations 40. These indentations40 serve to retain a quantity of thermoplastic adhesive material 41which, when subjected to heat, will establish a chemical bond betweenthe insert 14 and the material of the honeycomb core 30. Thus after theinsert 14 has been completely imbedded within the core as shown in FIGS.4-6, inclusive, it may be subjected to heat, as for example byinduction. As a result, the thermoplastic material 41 becomes viscousand a firm bond is established. Upon cooling, the insert is firmlysecured against rotation and unauthorized axial dislodgement withrespect to the panel core. A suitable screw member such as the screwmember 42 shown in FIG. 6 may now be applied to the internally threadedextrusion 18 for the purpose of securing an object to the panel.

In FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, a slightly modified embodiment of the invention isdisclosed in the form of an insert designated generally by the numeral14a. The insert 14a differs structurally from the previously describedinsert 14 in the provision of an annular body 16a of substantiallyconical cross-section. In all other respects the insert correspondsstructurally with the previously described insert 14 and portions of theinsert 14a corresponding with the previously described insert 14 aregiven corresponding numbers with the sufiix a.

FIGS. 10-12, inclusive, disclose a slightly modified form of insertdesignated generally by the numeral 14b. It will be noted that theperipheral shape of the annular body 16b is octagonal as distinguishedfrom the circular periphery of the previously described insert. Also,the extrusion 18b of the insert 14b is provided with an indented portion44 to provide a prevailing torque when the screw member 42b is appliedthereto. The thermoplastic adhesive 41 is in the form of film coveringthe outer surface of the relatively flat annular body 16b.

The tool 24 is provided with a handle 46 whereby to facilitate manualmanipulation thereof. In some instances, it has been found advantageousto provide a series of small apertures in the annular body to increasethe bonding effect of the thermoplastic adhesive.

I claim:

1. An insert device for installation in light weight panels such aspanels composed of a honeycomb core bounded by skin sheets, including asheet metal fastener member having an annular body which is partiallysevered transversely, the portion of the body adjacent one side of saidbody severance being deflected axially and providing an entering helicallead and panel rupturing edge, a centrally disposed internally threadedextrusion extending from said body in the axial direction of the bodydeflection, and thermoplastic adhesive material carried in imperforatepocket means provided by deformations in the annular body and extendingout of the plane thereof and disposed therearound outwardly from thethreaded extrusion and which adhesive, when heated, will rebond severedcore material while forming a bond between the fastener body and thehoneycomb type of panel with which it may be associated 2. An insertdevice for installation in light weight panels as set forth in claim 1,wherein the thermoplastic adhesive material is carried on both sides ofthe annular body.

3. An insert device for installation in light weight panels as set forthin claim 1, wherein the internally threaded extrusion is of restrictedaxial extent.

4. An insert device for installation in light weight panels as set forthin claim 1, wherein the pocket means in the body are annularly disposeddepressions for accommodating the thermoplastic adhesive,

5. An insert device for installation in light weight panels as set forthin claim 4, wherein the annularly disposed-depressions are in the fonnof concentric rings formed in the body.

6. An insert device for installation in light weight panels as set forthin claim 1, wherein the shape of the outer periphery of the annularinsert body is non-circular.

7. An insert device for installation in light weightpanels as set forthin claim 1, wherein the annular body has a multisided outer periphery.

8. An insert device for installation in light weight panels as set forthin claim 1, wherein the annular body of the insert is substantiallyconical in axial section.

9. An insert device for installation in light weight panels as set forthin claim 1, wherein the internally threaded extrusion is provided with aperipheral deformation for exerting a prevailing torque when a screwmember is applied thereto.

1. An insert device for installation in light weight panels such aspanels composed of a honeycomb core bounded by skin sheets, including asheet metal fastener member having an annular body which is partiallysevered transversely, the portion of the body adjacent one side of saidbody severance being deflected axially and providing an entering helicallead and panel rupturing edge, a centrally disposed internally threadedextrusion extending from said body in the axial direction of the bodydeflection, and thermoplastic adhesive material carried in imperforatepocket means provided by deformations in the annular body and extendingout of the plane thereof and disposed therearound outwardly from thethreaded extrusion and which adhesive, when heated, will rebond severedcore material while forming a bond between the fastener body and thehoneycomb type of panel with which it may be associated.
 2. An insertdevice for installation in light weight panels as set forth in claim 1,wherein the thermoplastic adhesive material is carried on both sides ofthe annular body.
 3. An insert device for installation in light weightpanels as set forth in claim 1, wherein the internally threadedextrusion is of restricted axial extent.
 4. An insert device forinstallation in light weight panels as set forth in claim 1, wherein thepocket means in the body are annularly disposed depressions foraccommodating the thermoplastic adhesive.
 5. An insert device forinstallation in light weight panels as set forth in claim 4, wherein theannularly disposed depressions are in the form of concentric ringsformed in the body.
 6. An insert device for installation in light weightpanels as set forth in claim 1, wherein the shape of the outer peripheryof the annular insert body is non-circular.
 7. An insert device forinstallation in light weight panels as set forth in claim 1, wherein theannular body has a multi-sided outer periphery.
 8. An insert device forinstallation in light weight panels as set forth in claim 1, wherein theannular body of the insert is substantially conical in axial section. 9.An insert device for installation in light weight panels as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the internally threaded extrusion is provided with aperipheral deformation for exerting a prevailing torque when a screwmember is applied thereto.